Ephesians 5:20 - Attitude of Gratitude.
Ephesians 5:20 - Attitude of Gratitude.
Ephesians 5:20 (NKJV) Giving thanks always for all things to God
the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,
Ephesians 5:20 (CWR) Develop an attitude of gratitude and always
give thanks to God our Father for everything in the name of the Lord
Jesus Christ.
Positive Thanksgiving
Here is a prescription for overcoming frustration. Look for
something good to come out of everything that appears bad. How I wish I
could hammer this thought into the mind of every Christian. Nowadays,
it is almost second nature with me to look for a positive in every
negative, but it was not always so. At one time, whenever anything bad
happened to me, I used to say: "Oh no, not again! Just when everything
seemed to be going right! Why should this happen to me?" I learned,
however, to apply this principle, and I can honestly say it has
transformed my life and ministry.
This also means learning to thank God for the good that is
emerging, instead of brooding over any loss that has been sustained. This
positive thanksgiving will make your heart receptive to God's power. He
can do anything with a thankful heart, but He will usually do little
or nothing with a complaining, self-pitying heart. It is closed to
grace.
Also, find someone who is going through difficult
circumstances, and help them find victory. Someone has said, "Sorrow expands
the soul for joy." For joy? Yes - the joy of being useful and
creative. God uses frustrating circumstances to prune you for
fruit-bearing.
And the lessons you have learned will go even deeper as you
share them with others. Expression deepens impression. If you
incorporate your sorrows, they will multiply. And if you incorporate your
blessings, they too will multiply. Learn this secret, and it will help you
stay spiritually on top - no matter what.
Oh God, Help me not be a whiner but a worshiper. Help me to
cultivate an attitude of thanksgiving in all things - for I know that all
things serve. I pray in Jesus' name. Amen. [Every Day With Jesus Bible
with Selwyn Hughes devotional]
Brother Lawrence was a low-ranking monk who spent most of his
time washing the monastery's pots and pans and repairing the sandals
of other monks. He could have been a miserable man if he allowed
his mind to dwell on the drudgery of his work, but he chose another
attitude. He made a conscious decision to see every act of service, every
act of engagement with others, and the physical world around him as
moments inhabited by God's Presence. He determined to let gratitude and
worship flow from him constantly. As a result, he was so filled with and
surrounded by the Presence that people went out of their way to seek his
wisdom and enjoy his company.
One of the most important keys to Brother Lawrence's
experience of God's Presence was gratitude. He learned to give thanks even
for the pots that needed scrubbing. He began to see all of life as a
gift and to interact with God as the Giver. God rushed to meet him in
that attitude, and Lawrence became known for his Presence-saturated
life.
Always give thanks to God for everything. Don't fake
gratitude for painful circumstances, but at least know that God is with
you in them and that everything in life, even the hard stuff, will
result in a good outcome. It's all stacked in your favor. He works
everything into good for those who love Him. That's worth your gratitude. A
heart that can see that and respond with thanks is a heart that God
rushes to fill. And that turns every chore, every relationship, every
moment into an encounter with Him.
Father, thank You for everything You are doing in my life.
Thank You for all Your gifts, including life itself. Help me develop a
heart of deep and lasting gratitude in all situations. [The One Year
Experiencing God's Presence Devotional by Chris Tiegreen]
CLOSING PEARLS
Come to Me with a thankful heart, so that you can enjoy My
Presence. This is the day that I have made. I want you to rejoice today,
refusing to worry about tomorrow. Search for all that I have prepared for
you, anticipating abundant blessings and accepting difficulties as
they come. I can weave miracles into the most mundane day if you keep
your focus on Me.
Come to Me with all your needs, knowing that My glorious
riches are a more-than-adequate supply. Stay in continual communication
with Me, so that you can live above your circumstances even while you
are in the midst of them. Present your requests to Me with
thanksgiving, and My Peace, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your
heart and mind. (Psa. 118:24; Phi. 4:19, 6-7) [Jesus Calling by Sarah
Young]
When something in your life or thoughts makes you anxious,
come to Me and talk about it. Bring Me your prayer and petition with
thanksgiving, saving: "Thank You, Jesus, for this opportunity to trust You
more." Though the lessons of trust that I send to you come wrapped in
difficulties, the benefits far outweigh the cost.
Well-developed trust will bring you many blessings, not the
least of which is My Peace. I have promised to keep you in perfect
Peace to the extent that you trust in Me. The world has it backwards,
teaching that peace is the result of having enough money, possessions,
insurance, and security systems. My Peace, however, is such an
all-encompassing gift that it is independent of all circumstances. Though you
lose everything else, if you gain My Peace you are rich indeed. (Phi.
4:6; Isa. 26:3) [Jesus Calling by Sarah Young]
Come to Me with all your weaknesses: physical, emotional, and
spiritual. Rest in the comfort of My Presence, remembering that nothing is
impossible with Me.
Pry your mind away from your problems so you can focus your
attention on Me. Recall that I am able to do immeasurably more than all
you ask or imagine. Instead of trying to direct Me to do this and
that, seek to attune yourself to what I am already doing.
When anxiety attempts to wedge its way into your thoughts,
remind yourself that I am your Shepherd. The bottom line is that I am
taking care of you; therefore, you needn't be afraid of anything.
Rather than trying to maintain control over your life, abandon yourself
to My will. Though this may feel frightening - even dangerous, the
safest place to be is in My will. (Luke 1:37; Eph. 3:20-21; Psa.
23:1-4) [Jesus Calling by Sarah Young]
LINKS FOR FURTHER STUDY:
http://www.abible.com/devotions/2013/20131110-1015.html
http://www.abible.com/devotions/2005/20050708-0803.html
http://www.abible.com/devotions/2010/20100812-1202.html
http://www.abible.com/devotions/2008/20081027-2333.html
http://www.abible.com/devotions/2013/20130725-2340.html
EXCELLENT VIDEO SERIES ON EXPERIENCING GOD:
http://sda.biggytv.com/watch/Revive!_-_Dwight_Nelson:_Experiencing_Gods_Grace/revive/
BIBLE PROPHECY SERIES ON REVELATION:
http://revelationtodaylive.com/live
